Flush-through port device

ABSTRACT

A flush-through port device including a fitting having a flared head to be flushly received in a counter-sunk hole in the hull of a boat, a housing having a hollow body screwed onto the fitting to clamp the hull and a tubular coupling member extending from the body at an angle from its central axis, a valve including an interior valve seat formed in the fitting and a valve member carried by a valve stem slidable extending through the body of the housing, a locking cap to be screwed to the housing to lock the valve member in a closed position in sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a sealing member frictionally engaging the valve stem to lock the valve member in an open position out of the path of fluid through the housing.

United States Patent 1 Booth Oct. 16, 1973 FLUSH-THROUGH PORT DEVICE John Booth, 114 Wildwood Ave., Victoria, BC, Canada [22] Filed: July 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 275,289

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant ExaminerGalen L. Barefoot AttorneyEdward J. Brenner et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A flush-through port device including a fitting having a flared head to be flushly received in a counter-sunk hole in the hull of a boat, a housing having a hollow body screwed onto the fitting to clamp the hull and a tubular coupling member extending from the body at an angle from its central axis, a valve including an interior valve seat formed in the fitting and a valve member carried by a valve stem slidable extending through the body of the housing, a locking cap to be screwed to the housing to lock the valve member in a closed position in sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a sealing member frictionally engaging the valve stem to lock the valve member in an open position out of the path of fluid through the housing.

11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEDncHsum 3 5 354 SHEET 10F 2 PAIENTEUnm 1 6 1915 3,755,354

sum 2 OF 2 F LUSH-THROUGH PORT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to port devices for boats and, more particularly, to flush-through port devices providing a smooth external surface along the hull of the boat.

2. Description of the Prior Art Flush-through devices for use with boats are normally disposed at or below the waterline of a craft and, consequently, have a tendency to cause turbulence in passing water therement of the boat and reducing speed. In relatively shallow draft boats, such as racing sailboats, the reduction in speed can be appreciable and, accordingly, presents a problem notsolved by existing prior art port devices.

The construction of a viable flush-through port device must take into account factos other than merely speed of the boat, however, in that the structure of such port devices must be univeral to fit hulks and slankings of various thicknesses, must be small in size and weight, must be easy to install and operate and must be capable of inexpensive production. Existing prior art flushthrough port devices cannot provide all the above requirements, due primarily to their bulk, expense and difficulty of installation and operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a flush-through port device for installation on the hull of a boat overcoming the above disadvantages of prior art flush-through port devices.

A more particular object of the present invention is to construct a flush-through portdevice for easy installation on the hull ofa boat to present a smooth external surface with the hull.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush-through port device having housing to be disposed internally of the hull of a boat and a fitting extending through the hull to engage the housing, the housing being adapted to be properly oriented prior to engagement with the fitting and the fitting being adapted to be screwed into the stationary housing and having a tapered head adapted to be received in a countersunk portion of the hull so as to be mounted flush with the hull.

A further object of the present invention is to utilize a locking device to hold a valve member of a flushthrough port device in either a closed or open position.

The present invention has another object in that a housing for a flush-through port device is formed to define a recess for receiving a valve member in an open position so as not to impede flow without increasing the size of the housing or restricting flow. 7

Some of the advantages of the flushthrough port device of the present invention over the prior art are that the components are small and easily installed, the port device is of universal construction to fit various size hulls or plankings, and the valve means is easily operated to either open or closed positions without continuing manual operation.

The present invention is generally characterized in a flush-through port device for installation through the hull of a boat including a fitting with a cylindrical wall externally threaded at a first end and having an inner surface defining a valve seat at a second end and a tapered head at the second end; a housing including a hollow body threadably engaging the first end of the fitting and an outer end with the first and second ends of the body, and a tubular coupling member extending at an angle from the central axis of the body and communicating therewith; valve means including a valve stem slidably extending through the bore in the body and carrying a valve member movable to a closed position in sealing engagement with the valve seat and an open position; and locking structure engaging the valve stem for holding the valve member in the closed and open positions.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a broken plan view, partially in section, of the flush-through port device of the present invention mounted on the hull of a boat with the valve closed;

FIG. 2 is a broken plan view, partially in section, of the flush-through port device of FIG. 1 with the valve open;

FIG. 3 is a broken inner side elevation of the flushthrough port device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, broken sectional view of the housing and part of the locking structure for the valve stem of the flush-through port device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a broken, outer side elevation of the flushthrough port device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A flush-through port device according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes, as basic components, a fitting 10 adapted to extend through a hole 12 in the hull l4 ofa boat and a housing 16 disposed within the hull of the boat and threadably engaging fitting 10. As will be appreciated from the following discussion, the hull 14 may vary greatly in thickness while still mounting the flush-through port device of the present invention due to the screw-type engagement between the fitting 10 and the housing 16 which provides a clamping action therebetween, and the universal nature of the flush-through port device is enhanced by the use of a pad 18'disposed against the internal surface of the hull l4 and clamped between the fitting l0 and the housing 16.

Fitting 10 has a cylindrical wall20 having an externally threaded portion at an end 22 protruding through the hole 12 in the hull and past the pad 18, and an opposite end 24 of the fitting has an annular tapered head 26 adapted to be received in countersunk portion of the hole 12 through the hull. The countersunk portion defines an annular beveled shoulder 28 having a config uration mating with the configuration of tapered head 26 such that fitting fits flush with the outer surface of the hull. The inner surface of cylindrical wall 29 is contoured to define an inwardly extending, annular valve seat including a sloping lodge 30 extending inwardly from the inner surface to a smaller diameter cylindrical surface 32 defining an outlet port through which effluent passes as it is flushed from the boat. A pair of diametrically opposed sockets 34 are recessed in the flat external face 36 of head 26, as best shown in FIG. 6,

in order to facilitate tightening of the fitting with the housing 16.

Housing 16 includes a hollow body 38 having an internally threaded inner end 40 adapted to threadably engage the externally threaded end 22 of the fitting l0, and end 40 has a flange 42 extending radially outward therefrom to provide an annular clamping surface for engaging either pad 18 or the inner surface of the hull 14. Body 38 has an outer end 44 including an externally threaded nipple 46 having a centralbore in the end thereof defining an annular shoulder 50 and an increased diameter inner surface 52. Bore 48, housing 16 and fitting 10 are coaxially aligned, and a tubular coupling member 54 extends at an angle from the central axis of housing 16. Member 54 has protruding rings 56 around the end thereof in order to receive a base, tube or other conduit in fluid-tight relation. Member 54 is generally cylindrical in configuration along its length; however, at the area 58 where member 54 joins body 38, the member has an oval configuration in cross section as best shown in FIG. 4, with the portions at the ends 40 and 44 of the body being flattened in order to provide a thickened area 60 joining flange 42 to strengthen housing 16 and to form a lip 62 defining a recess or pocket 64 within body 38 out of the path of effluent through the flush-through port device. The cross sectional area at the area 58 where member 54 joins body 38 is substantially equal to the cross sectional area of the cylindrical portion of member 54 such that area 58 serves to strengthen the housing and define recess 64 without restricting flow through the housing.

Valve means cooperating with the valve seat defined by ledge 30 and the inner surface of wall 20 in fitting 10 includes a valve stem 66 slidably extending through bore 48 in end 44 of body 38, valve stem 66 having an externally threaded end 68 receiving in threaded engagement a lock nut 70 and an inverted, cup-shaped cap 72 having an internally threaded bore 74 to engage end 68 of the valve stem and an internally threaded wall 76 to threadably engage nipple 46. At the end opposite end 68 valve stem 66 carries a piston-like valve member 78 having a cylindrical end portion 80 having a diameter substantially equal to but slightly less than the diameter of the outlet port defined by cylindrical surface 32, an annular sloping shoulder 82 having a configuration to seat on and sealably engage sloping ledge 30, and a piston-like cylindrical portion 84 having a diameter substantially equal to but slightly less that the inner diameter of wall 20.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, an inverted, cup-shaped, sealing member 86 made of a resilient material such as rubber is received in the counterbore in nipple 46 end includes an annular outer wall 88 having an outer diameter slightly greater than the diameter of inner surface 52 such that the sealing member 86 is tightly received in the counterbore, an annular base 90, and an annular inner wall 92 sloping slightly inwardly to have a truncated conical configuration. An annular space 94 is formed between walls 88 and 92, and the edge of wall 88 rests on shoulder 50 with base 90 having a planar outer surface. A washer 96 rests on the outer surface of base 90 of sealing member 86 to keep sealing member 86 in the counterbase, and the washer 96 is held within the counterbore, and the washer 96 is held within the counterbore by a turned-in lip 98 extending axially inward from the end of inner surface 52.

In order to install the flush-through port device of the present invention, a countersunk hole 12 is formed in the hull or planking 14 of a boat, and the fitting 10 is positioned therein. Pad 18, preferably constructed of fiberglass, is placed over the protruding end 22 of the fitting l0, and housing 16 is partially screwed onto fitting 10 and properly oriented for a hose connection to tubular coupling member 54. Fitting 10 is now screwed into housing 16 by utilizing a wrench with prongs to fit into sockets 34 with flange 42 and head 26 clamping the hull and pad therebetween. The flush-through port device can be installed through hulls of varying thickness due to this clamping action; and, thus, the flushthrough port device can be used with boats of many different types and construction.

In operation, valve member 78 can be maintained in either an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 2, or any intermediate position therebetween if desired due to the locking means including lock nut 70, cap 72, sealing member 86 and washer 96. That is, in the open position the friction due to the inner diameter of wall 92 being smaller than the outer diameter of valve stem 66 which extends therethrough holds the valve member firmly in the recess 64 out of the path of fluid passing through the housing 16. In order to close the valve, valve stem 66 is pushed into the housing 16 until cap 72 engages nipple 46 and then the cap is tightly screwed onto the nipple until valve member 78 sealably engages the valve seat in fitting 10, the movement of valve member 78 in cylindrical wall 20 being a piston-like action to flush all remaining fluid from the boat. Once the valve member is seated, lock nut is tightened against the cap. In order to open the valve, cap 72 is unscrewed, and valve stem 66 is pulled away from housing 16 until valve member 78 is properly placed in recess 64 to be held by sealing member 86.

From the above, it will be appreciated that the flushthrough port device of the present invention is structured for adjustment to fit hulls of varying thickness, to lock the valve member in closed and open positions, to facilitate installation and to be economically produced. To this end, it is advantageous to form housing 16 integrally of a metal or other material, particularly to strengthen the housing at thickened portions and to define a pocket or recess to receive the valve member in an open position and keep the valve member out of the path of fluid through the housing. The specific configuration of the body and tubular coupling member permit the housing to have minimal size without sacrificing strength.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A flush-through port device for installation through the hull of a boat comprising:

a fitting including first and second ends, a cylindrical wall terminating at said first and second ends having an externally threaded portion at said first end, an inner surface defining an inwardly extending annular valve seat at said second end and an outer tapered head at said second end, said fitting adapted to extend through a hole in the hull of a boat having a countersunk outer portion with a configuration mating with said tapered head being received in said countersunk portion;

a housing including a hollow body having an internally threaded inner end adapted to threadably engage said externally threaded first end of said fitting, said body having an outer end opposite said inner end with a central bore therethrough, said bore, said inner end of said body and said second end of said fitting being coaxially aligned;

said housing further including a tubular coupling member extending at an angle from the central axis of said housing and communicating with the housvalve means including a valve stem slidably extending through said bore in said outer end of said body, a valve member mounted on said stem and movable from an open position adjacent said outer end of said body to a closed position adjacent said second end of said fitting; and

locking means engaging said valve stem and said outer end of said body for holding said valve member in said closed and open positions.

2. The flush-through port device as recited in claim ll wherein said locking means includes a cap for engaging said outer end of said body and said valve stem to lock said valve member in said closed position.

3. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a sealing member supported by said body and frictionally engaging said valve stem to lock said valve member in said open position.

4. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a sealing member supported by said body and frictionally engaging said valve stem to lock said valve member in said open position. I

5. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 4 wherein said tubular coupling member has an oval configuration in cross section at the area where said tubular member joins said body, said oval configuration area forming a lip to define a recess adjacent said outer end of said body and forming an area of increased thickness adjacent said inner end of said body, said recess receiving said valve member in said open position and said thickened area strengthening said housing.

6. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 5 wherein said outer end of said body includes an externally threaded nipple having a counterbore therein, said cap has an inverted cup-shaped configuration with an internally threaded wall for threadably engaging said nipple, and said sealing member is disposed in said counterbore.

7.-The flush-through port device as recited in claim 6 wherein said sealing member is made of a resilient material and has an outer wall engaging a side surface of said counterbore and an inner wall having an inner diameter of said valve stem, said valve stem extending through said inner wall of said sealing member. 8. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve seat includes a sloping ledge extending from a first cylindrical surface to a second cylindrical surface, the diameter of said first cylindrical surface being greater than the diameter of said second cylindrical surface, and said valve member has a sloping shoulder extending from a piston-like cylindrical portion to an end cylindrical portion, said piston-like cylindrical portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said first cylindrical surface, said end cylindrical portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said second cylindrical surface and said sloping shoulder having a configuration mating with said sloping ledge.

9. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 8 wherein said body has a radially extending flange at said inner end and further comprising a fiberglass pad disposed between said flange and the inner surface of the hull.

10. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular coupling member has an oval configuration in cross section at the area where said tubular coupling member joins said body, said oval configuration area forming a lip to define a recess adjacent said outer end of said body and forming an area of increased thickness adjacent said inner end of said body, said recess receiving said valve member in said open position and said thickened area strengthening said housing.

11. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said body has a radially extending flange at said inner end and further comprising a pad disposed between said flange and the inner surface of the hull. 

1. A flush-through port device for installation through the hull of a boat comprising: a fitting including first and second ends, a cylindrical wall terminating at said first and second ends having an externally threaded portion at said first end, an inner surface defining an inwardly extending annular valve seat at said second end and an outer tapered head at said second end, said fitting adapted to extend through a hole in the hull of a boat having a countersunk outer portion with a configuration mating with said tapered head being received in said countersunk portion; a housing including a hollow body having an internally threaded inner end adapted to threadably engage said externally threaded first end of said fitting, said body having an outer end opposite said inner end with a central bore therethrough, said bore, said inner end of said body and said second end of said fitting being coaxially aligned; said housing further including a tubular coupling member extending at an angle from the central axis of said housing and communicating with the housing; valve means including a valve stem slidably extending through said bore in said outer end of said body, a valve member mounted on said stem and movable from an open position adjacent said outer end of said body to a closed position adjacent said second end of said fitting; and locking means engaging said valve stem and said outer end of said body for holding said valve member in said closed and open positions.
 2. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a cap for engaging said outer end of said body and said valve stem to lock said valvE member in said closed position.
 3. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking means includes a sealing member supported by said body and frictionally engaging said valve stem to lock said valve member in said open position.
 4. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 2 wherein said locking means includes a sealing member supported by said body and frictionally engaging said valve stem to lock said valve member in said open position.
 5. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 4 wherein said tubular coupling member has an oval configuration in cross section at the area where said tubular member joins said body, said oval configuration area forming a lip to define a recess adjacent said outer end of said body and forming an area of increased thickness adjacent said inner end of said body, said recess receiving said valve member in said open position and said thickened area strengthening said housing.
 6. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 5 wherein said outer end of said body includes an externally threaded nipple having a counterbore therein, said cap has an inverted cup-shaped configuration with an internally threaded wall for threadably engaging said nipple, and said sealing member is disposed in said counterbore.
 7. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 6 wherein said sealing member is made of a resilient material and has an outer wall engaging a side surface of said counterbore and an inner wall having an inner diameter of said valve stem, said valve stem extending through said inner wall of said sealing member.
 8. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 7 wherein said valve seat includes a sloping ledge extending from a first cylindrical surface to a second cylindrical surface, the diameter of said first cylindrical surface being greater than the diameter of said second cylindrical surface, and said valve member has a sloping shoulder extending from a piston-like cylindrical portion to an end cylindrical portion, said piston-like cylindrical portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said first cylindrical surface, said end cylindrical portion having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of said second cylindrical surface and said sloping shoulder having a configuration mating with said sloping ledge.
 9. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 8 wherein said body has a radially extending flange at said inner end and further comprising a fiberglass pad disposed between said flange and the inner surface of the hull.
 10. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular coupling member has an oval configuration in cross section at the area where said tubular coupling member joins said body, said oval configuration area forming a lip to define a recess adjacent said outer end of said body and forming an area of increased thickness adjacent said inner end of said body, said recess receiving said valve member in said open position and said thickened area strengthening said housing.
 11. The flush-through port device as recited in claim 1 wherein said body has a radially extending flange at said inner end and further comprising a pad disposed between said flange and the inner surface of the hull. 